Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra received the Padma Shri Award from President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. The 24-year-old made history last year by winning gold in the men’s javelin at the Games.
India’s Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra received the Padma Shri award from President Kovind on Monday. (Image: Reuters)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Neeraj Chopra received the Padma Shri Award from President Kovind on Monday
- Neeraj was one of the 8 athletes to be awarded Padma Shri this year
- Neeraj ended India’s wait for an individual gold medal in athletics at the Games
India’s Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra received the Padma Shri Award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. Watched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Speer superstar, who donned kurta pajamas with a Nehru jacket, accepted the award from President Ram Nath Kovind.
Neeraj Chopra was one of 8 athletes to receive the Padma Shri Award for their achievements at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games last year.
Neeraj Chopra attended the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II at Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was presented with one of the highest civil honours. The Padma Shri, announced each year on Republic Day, is awarded for outstanding merit in any field.
#CLOCK | Tokyo Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra receives Padma Shri award from President Ram Nath Kovind pic.twitter.com/S1NLkkc2J7
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2022
Neeraj Chopra captured the nation’s imagination when he ended India’s long wait for a gold medalist in track and field at the Olympics. The 24-year-old swept the rest of the field in the men’s javelin final, winning the elusive gold medal with a best throw of 87.58m and sending the nation of over a billion into an uproar.
Neeraj embodied confidence on the night of the grand final in Tokyo as he dominated the men’s javelin field. He raised his arms with joy after throwing the 87.58 m throw in the second attempt, which ultimately turned out to be the winner.
Legendary para-javelin athlete Devendra Jhajharia, Indian women’s ice hockey team star Vandana Katariya, Tokyo Paralympics gold medalists Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil and Pramod Bhagat are among others to be honored with the Padma Shri Award .
Neeraj Chopra, Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil and Pramod Bhagat also received the 2021 Khel Ratna Award by name. Neeraj is also honored with the Param Visisht Seva Medal by President Ram Nath Kovind on the eve of Republic Day.
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